For the second time in a short period of time, I begin to awaken from unconsciousness as I find myslef myself staring up at a white ceiling. Well then I guess it was all just a figment of my imagination, brought on by the stress of the firefight maybe? From these first impressions, I'm guessing that I'm back at the medical centre in Camp Bastion. Raising my left arm to run through my hair, my arm is halted a short distance above the bed. Looking down to my wrist I find them both restrained to the side of the bed, locked in an old metal handcuff you would expect to see back in the 1800's.

Examining my surroundings I can see a number of empty medical beds throughout the room, each covered in a pale blue blanket. Each bed has a metal table on small wheels containing the same medical equipment, basic scalpel, scissors, stethoscope. syringe and an old hand-pumped blood pressure kit. I'm located on a bed in the middle of the white room, the bed itself is too short for me leaving my feet hanging over the edge.

Above each bed across the room is a small rectangular window to allow in natural sunlight. Through the window, I can see the sun high in the sky indicating that it's likely noon. Without a single cloud in the sky, I notice a very distinctive lack of a moon. Well at least the sky has been fixed. One of the windows is slightly ajar allowing me to hear distant fair music, along with laughter and conversations.

To the left of my bed is a large wooden doorway, the door itself seems to reach up towards the ceiling with the frame acting as the trim across the walls of the room. Standing at each side of the doorway is a pairing of armoured horses which I presume are guards. Each is equipped with a golden breastplate which covers the front of their chest and stretches across the entire length of their backs, the centre of the plate fitted with a polished blue star. Their hooves enclosed in a short golden horseshoe only climbing a few inches up from the base of their hooves. A golden helmet protects the back of their necks and covers the top of their heads, it stretches across the top of their muzzles leaving a sufficient gap around their larger eyes to give good visability yet sufficient cover. The top of the helmet is styled similar to that of a Roman Centurion's helmet producing a plume of grey or blue. One pairing have a white coat with a blue plume and short cropped tail whilst the other have a coat of a dark grey with a lighter grey plume and tail. They are all Unicorns with a hole cut out of their helmets at the front of its plume, each armed with a spear which they are holding in their hooves. How the hell are they holding those?

Each guard just stares straight forward with a blank expression, much like you would expect from a royal guard at Buckingham Palace. I'm guessing they all got an eyeful of me earlier when they initially entered and have got all the reactions out of the way with, now I'm just a standard prisoner to them.

I try to move but abruptly halt when a sharp pain jolts through my chest, releasing a loud hiss from between my teeth. The noise I make seems to cause the guard to shift and steal a quick glance in my direction. Ha... these guys are so much easier to get a reaction from than those back home. I look down at my chest to find a bandage securely bound around my chest where I was kicked. Looking further down I kick my leg against the sheet covering me to find that I have been left entirely naked in the bed, the only thing giving me modesty is the blankets covering my stomach and reaching down to the base of my knees.

With nothing better to do I lean my head back against the pillow and try to go to sleep. Before closing my eyes I notice an x-ray board hanging on the wall above my bed. The board is still lit up allowing me to examine the chart of my chest. As I guessed my ribs had been broken, two on the left had been broken and one has been cracked whereas on the right only one was broken but three had cracked.

Getting bored of examining my own ribs I lay my head back down and close my eyes in an attempt to let sleep fall over me.

I open my eyes and raise my head from the dirt, the Land Rover in flames, my distorted hearing picking up the screams of a soldier trapped in the vehicle screaming in agony.

Dashing to my feet I run to the vehicle and attempt to grab the door and pull with all my might, my eyes locked on the man inside with his arm outstretched reaching toward me as his skin blisters from the inferno. Gun shots ring out all around me, threatening to pierce me and making me another casualty in this war. My hands shoot back from the vehicle in excruciating agony, scorch marks across both palms of my hands ooze blood.

I turn on the spot looking for anyone to help me. Nobody even seems to notice me, they're all too occupied saving their own lives as they take cover and return fire on the ambushing enemy on either side of the road. I back peddle from the car and witness the man begin to slump forward, his arm faltering as his whole body falls limp. His charred eyes continue to stare at me as his body ceases moving.

I unclip my rifle and cock the bolt, fire burning in my eyes as my soul drains itself of any emotion or feeling. I move to cover and crouch aiming my rifle towards anyone moving towards me who isn't in camouflage.

PHAT PHAT

One dead, a bullet forcing its way into his skull draining his brain matter from its home and plastering the floor.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT

Two, a hail of bullets riddling his centre mass, effectively turning him into a pin cushion.

PHAT PHAT PHAT

Three, fucker tried aiming for me and met the receiving end of my rifle.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT

Five, a pair tried taking cover behind a rock on my left flank, they met automatic fire sending bullets through the one and into the next.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT

Missed, he managed to get to a small irrigation ditch. But I'm patient as I keep aiming at the spot he dropped, sure enough he pokes his head up.

PHAT

Six, one clean bullet aimed straight and true, penetrating his eye socket turning his eye into a sludgy mess.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT CLICK*

The bolt locks to the rear of the rifle, the chamber on show on the right side of my rifle indicating its empty. I open a magazine pouch on my vest and remove a new magazine replacing it with the old. Mag in position I push the release catch on my rifle and forward assist the bolt. I take up aim through my SUSAT and acquire the next target.

Before I can fire, a barrage of missiles and 30mm rounds canvas the enemy's location. Turning my head an Apache AH1 hovers overhead raining heavy fire on any threat ahead, before long all targets ahead are dead or have retreated.

Panting heavily I step to the road and turn to the wrecked vehicle. I'm unable to turn away as my view is fixated on the charred remains within. My heart rate begins to rise rapidly drumming away in my ears as my breathing accelerates. In the corner of my eye, I swear I see a dark figure, behind it the air seems dark and flowing around the top of the figure as it looks towards me.

Eyes shooting open I rapidly sit up as far as I can, my body covered in sweat as I breathe heavily. Hesitantly I look down to my hands and turn them over, I open my fingers and observe the two scars on my hands which act as a constant reminder of my first tour in Afghanistan years ago. Dreams of my experiences often plague my mind but I couldn't help but feel that there was something in that dream which I've never recalled when I've been forced to endure that memory.

"Doctor... He's awake," A familiar feminine voice attracts my attention from the other end of the room. My eyes move to the source to reveal the lavender winged Unicorn from before, minus the tiara. Accompanying her is a dark green unicorn wearing some sort of white doctors coat with a stethoscope around his neck. I'm unable to make out any marks due to the top of his hind leg being covered by his coat. His mane and beard is a scruffy jet black with greying roots, he also seems to be holding some sort of walking stick in his hoof.

"Good, I was wondering when it would finally wake up." Stepping over with a distinctive limp he stops at the foot of the bed and raises his stick to tap my foot. "Either this thing is extremely lazy, or little miss honesty caused more damage than we believed," Miss honesty... what?

"Miss honesty as you call her -" The annoyance clear in her voice "- is my friend. We never intended for this to happen." Glancing down at the floor she brings her hoof up to rest on the end of the bed near my foot, the sadness is clearly evident in those eyes. Man those things just act as a giant billboard for emotion.

He just stares back at her with a blank expression, he seems to think something through before he steps towards her. As she looks up to him he places a hoof on her shoulder and looks into her eyes. "Do I get bonus points if I act like I care?" Wow, he's acting like an ass and seems to even have some banter. I'm liking this guy already.

"I don't even know why the Princesses put up with you," Pulling away from him she steps to the side of my bed to look at me momentarily before turning back to face the doctor. Wait... Princesses? These creatures have a monarchy?

"If nobody hates you, you're doing something wrong," Hobbling towards the doors he calls back into the room as he exits, "There's a valuable friendship lesson for you Princess. There's no pleasing everypony when you act like your true self."

The one next to me is a Princess as well? Did I save a member of the royal family out there? My eyes shift from the door back to her, she seems to be locked in thought as she is fixated on the door ahead. Briefly, she looks back to me before she heads to the door to leave. This may be my only chance to get any information.

"Princess? Wait..." She seems caught off guard by this, freezing on the spot before she turns her body back to face me. Slowly she moves back towards me and looks down at me with intrigue. "Where am I? How did I get here?"

"We're in Canterlot, my friends and I brought you here after we saved the tree of harmony. Princess Celestia and Luna were able to help your injuries but were unable to fully heal you as we've never encountered your species. What are you?"

"I'm a human," I can't help but say that in a monotone voice. I mean we're only the most developed species on the planet, not like we've been hiding for the last few thousand years.

"Human? I've never seen any reference to your species or even heard of you."

"Yeah well, I've never seen a winged Unicorn or Pegasus. You're meant to be make belief and ancient mythology," I retort.

"I'm an Alicorn. What do you mean we're 'ancient mythology?' These races have been around for longer than any recorded history," Confusion evident in her voice.

"Pegasi and Unicorns are old tales, I think from the ancient Greeks but I'm not one hundred percent certain on that." As I state this her horn glows and a scroll and quill appear before her. As I continue to speak her quill scratches at the scroll as she seems to try and document everything I say. "Humans have been the dominant species on the planet for longer than any empire on Earth, going back to at least 3000 B.C."

Pausing she looks up to me. "B.C? Whats that? Before Celestia?"

"Before Celestia?" I let out a laugh as I turn my head away. Is she really unaware of what B.C means? "No. It means Before Christ."

"Who's Christ?" As soon as I mentioned the name her quill rapidly jotted down the name.

"Really!?" She just stares at me with a quizzical expression. "You're serious?" Silence follows as she patiently waits for an answer. "I'm not going into that now. I want answers now. Why am I here?"

She seems to frown when I withhold the information from her, it quickly disappears as she rolls up the scroll and levitates it alongside her. "You were brought here to have your injuries treated, but because of your species being unknown and the fact you were armed causes some concern. We need to make sure you're not a threat," She begins to walk to the exit but turns to face me once she reaches the door. "You helped me in the Everfree forest so I want to believe you aren't a threat, but we can't be sure."

"Can I at least be unshackled so I can take a piss?" I shake my hands causing the chains to rattle in order to emphasise my point.

Blushing at my bluntness she turns to the guard next to the door. "Could you please unshackle him so he can... relieve himself. As long as he cooperates I believe it would be best to keep him out of restraints."

The guard salutes, "Yes, your highness."

She faces me again, a sad expression on her face. "There will be a trial in an hour. I'm sorry," With that she exits the room, the door closing behind her.

I lay my head back down on the pillow as I attempt to process this new information. Where is Canterlot? I've never even heard of the city or country, the same goes for the Everfree forest. Princess Celestia and Luna? I've never heard of them before in my life. And for them never to encounter any humans this 'Canterlot' must be in an extremely remote location.

My train of thought is interrupted by the realisation that I still have some important business to attend to. Turning my head to the still stationary guards I shake my hands in the restraints causing the metal to rattle together. "Come on, you heard the Princess. Chop chop."

They look to one another, irritation painted across their faces. One of the white guards nods to the other who levitates a set of keys towards the locks from his position. Both cuffs are unlocked causing them to drop to the floor, the keys levitating back to his armour. "Make it quick or you'll be back in those chains, creature."

"Human," I retort as I run my hands over my marked wrists. "Weren't you paying attention to the conversation?" He doesn't even respond. I shift my body to the side of the bed hanging my legs over the edge against the floor. Holding onto my ribs I slowly push myself to my feet letting out a pained moan as I move. Stretching I turn my body back towards the door, looking down I remember my earlier realisation. Oh yeah... I was naked wasn't I. I reach for the quilt and begin to wrap it around my lower body, noticing one guard taking the odd glance at my pride and joy. "Take a picture mate, It will last longer," With that comment his eyes once again lock forward.

I make my way across the cold floor towards the main door stopping before the guards. "Shall we?" I wave my hand to the door. The guard opens the door as two of the guards lead us out, I follow suit with the other pair remaining behind me. We begin to make our way down a wide hallway, the floor made of marble with a long stretch of red carpet spread along the walkway. Small stands holding ornaments and plants are spread evenly on each side of the corridor. The one wall has a number of large windows, as I walk past I steal a few glances, below is a garden filled with a variety of plants. Gardeners are working the land as a number of others dressed in some form of suit or dress walk along a path leading to a large room.

"We're here." Both guards halt on either side of the door as the one nods towards it. "You've got two minutes," I open then close the door behind me dropping the sheets on entry. I make my way to the toilet itself and answer natures call before making my way to the sink to wash my hands. I pause as I look up at the mirror, my first free moment allowing thoughts to flood my mind. What happened to Williams? I have no idea if he made it or if any of the other did for that matter. I let everyone down. I've abandoned them. Unable to hold my emotions my eyes begin to water as I start to weep, my hands covering my face as I quietly cry into my hands. I'm only interrupted when a knocking gains my attention. "Times up human," I wipe my eyes and move to the door, picking up the sheets and wrapping them around myself again. Time to wait before my trial. Why do I feel like something bad is gonna happen?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next hour passed without anything of note. A servant brought my clothing back for me, she was shaking the whole time she was near me. The uniform itself had at least been cleaned. A dark brown loose fitting T-shirt which acts to keep us cool in the warm climate of Afghanistan. The shirt consists fully of MTP camouflage, Two large pockets on either side of the upper chest. The shirt is secured with a basic zip and buttons across the centre, a section allowing my rank slide to be displayed consisting of two silver diamonds for the rank of Lieutenant. The sleeves had a small pocket on either side with Velcro containing a patch for each arm, the left holding a small Union Flag whereas the right arm contained the patch of the 33rd Engineer Regiment and an ATO patch.

The trouser consisted of full MTP camouflage with each leg holding a large pocket alongside the standard trouser pockets, a basic tan belt which allows my thigh holster to be attached to. The boots being dark brown and made of leather with zips alongside the inside to allow them to be fitted and removed quickly, I'm sure once someone realises what material they're made from I'm going to have some problems.

Soon I'm escorted down the same corridor I walked earlier to stand trial. I was placed in chains once again following an order from Princess Luna, apparently something has been brought to light which leaves her to believe I may be a larger threat than they previously believed. My pace slowing I glance once again toward the garden to see that everyone has now left, I can see through the windows of the room I previously witnessed the others enter and there appears to be a large crowd gathered within.

I'm interrupted by a sudden pain against the back of my leg causing me to fall to me knees. "Get moving human!" turning back I can see one of the darker Unicorns re-positioning his weapon into its original position.

"Well if you didn't hit my legs I'd be able to move faster," Standing I turn to him glaring down at him. They only reach up to the bottom of my chin with their horns, I stand at 6 foot and 1 inch. He brings the spear around with his magic and strikes the side of my chest, causing me to nearly fall from the sharp pain enveloping my broken ribs. "You're testing my fucking patience horse!"

"Get moving now!" Pointing the blade tip directly towards my face I slowly stand upright again and turn toward to tower before us and enter leading to a spiralled staircase. We make our way down and continue down a new hallway much similar to the old one except with a higher ceiling and a door towards the end with golden spirals engraved into it, the few servants which are around looking toward me with fear as I make my way past them. Once again I am smacked in the back with the base of the spear. "Halt!" This fucker is just begging for me to kick his ass.

After a minute of waiting the door opens and the same guard pushes me from the rear. I'm herded into what appears to be a throne room, large crowds are gathered on either side of the central carpet staring at me as I'm pushed into the room. Turning back I can see a balcony filled with a number of them, except these ones all appear to be in some manner of suit or dress leaving me to believe they are over entitled snobs. When I reach a vacant section of the room I'm once again hit in the leg forcing me to my knees. Looking up I can see four thrones, two seem to be a permanent feature of the room, whereas the other two seem to have been brought into the hall for this trial. The permanent thrones consist of one being made of marble with a golden sun acting as the headpiece of the throne, the other seems to be made of a black stone I presume to be onyx with a headpiece consisting of a moon crescent. The other thrones seem to be carved from oak and decorated with multiple engravings, one has the headboard of the six-pronged star I'm familiar with whereas the other consists of a heart.

From left to right the thrones consist of the star, sun, moon then finally the heart. Alongside Twilight's throne stands the five which I saw in the forest, all talking quietly to one another except for the rainbow maned one which seems to be giving me what can only be described as the evils. Her left eye seems to have a slight red mark underneath, probably from when I jabbed her in the earlier fight.

With them all in front of me I'm finally able to see the marks of the three I was fighting, and as I predicted earlier the gems in their jewellery matches their marks. The rainbow one has a mark of a lightning bolt of red, yellow and blue protruding from a cloud, the pink one has a mark of three balloons with the colours blue yellow then blue, finally the one with the stetson has a mark of three red apples.

My eyes lock onto the orange one as she makes eye contact with me, she slowly looks down and pokes at the floor with her hoof. Her eyes seem to show sorrow and shame as she does so. Does she feel bad for attacking me?

After what feels like an eternity of eyes burning into the back of my skull a larger white Unicorn guard steps before the thrones in a purple variation of the guards armour, his tail and helmet plume consisting of multiple shades of blue. "Please rise for Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Twilight Sparkle!"

Around me I hear all those which had a cushion to sit on rise to their hooves. A door alongside the thrones opened and four Alicorns entered the room, with Twilight entering at the rear I believe they entered in the order their names were called out. As they neared their thrones I figure it would be best if I showed some respect and move to stand, as I rise to my feet I'm once again smacked in my legs forcing me back onto my knees. "Not you," The same jackass from earlier hisses into my ear. I swear if he hits me one more time that weapon is going where the sun does not shine.

The White guard in front of the thrones moves alongside the throne with the heart. Soon the four Alicorns are in front of their thrones and simultaneously sit in their respective chairs.

"Please sit my Ponies," The largest Alicorn in the sun throne softly addresses everyone in the room, sounding almost like a caring mother. Immediately everyone else sits back into their cushions, or whatever types of seats they have. It seems I've found the big cheese. She has a coat as white as the purest snow, her mane seems to be flowing consisting of blue, green, light purple then pink. She has a large golden tiara with a purple gem along with a matching chest piece, her horn seems to protrude further out then the others. She also has a mark of a sun on her body.

"What is your name?" Celestia looks down at me with soft eyes as she speaks this, her voice soothing my initial anxiety.

"John Davies... Your majesty," My voice is initially shaky from having never been in a circumstance similar to this. Give me being shot at any day over this shit show.

"Am I correct in assuming that you are a human?"

"Yes," Soft mutters come from the rear on top of the balcony, probably disgust that I didn't use correct formalities.

"And where is it you are from? We have nothing at all in any of our records about humans." Her eyes seem to be fixated on me as she addresses me, her expression never changing.

"I come from England, it's part of the United Kingdom," Louder mutters come from the crowd.

"The United Kingdom?" Her expression finally shifts to one of confusion. The Alicorn on her right lowers her gaze to me following my answer. She is a midnight blue, with a black chest piece holding a white moon crescent and a black tiara. Her mark incorporates of a black background with a segment of moon overlaying. Her mane is dark blue and flows similar to that of Celestia's, however it seems to have some effect which makes it looks like the night sky complete with stars. I believe her name was Luna.

"There is nowhere in this world referred to as this so-called 'United Kingdom,'" Her voice showing the mistrust she has in my answers.

"I'm not lying about my country," I begin to stand again as I speak and am met with a strike across my back. My face scrunches up in anger and I find myself unable to control my actions. Pivoting on the spot I swiftly get to my feet and lunge towards the guard, kicking his front leg out from under him causing him to come crashing down on his chest. I push my foot hard against the back of his neck. "TOUCH ME ONE MORE TIME! I FUCKING DARE YOU!"

Multiple guards scattered throughout the room have all assembled around me with their weapons pointed directly towards me, multiple guards are shouting various orders simultaneously making it impossible to make any out. Half the audience are either shouting toward me or sharing their disgust with one another adding to the volume.

"BE STILL!!"

My attention and everyone else snaps towards Luna standing in front of her throne with an angered expression she glares directly towards me.

"Tell your guards to stop assaulting me and I'll release this shit sack of a soldier!" My glare meets hers leading to us staring one another down. The rest of the hall has fallen into complete silence, I could imagine a number of drama queens within the crowd fainting at my actions.

Celsetia finally steps in and stands alongside Luna. "Guards return to your positions, and please refrain from making contact with John," The guards hesitantly walk back to their posts around the room.

I look down to the guard underneath and remove my foot from his neck, I bring it down alongside his spear and kick it along the floor towards a wall on the side. "Off you fuck," The guard shakily stands and makes his way towards the weapon and makes that his new post, giving me death glares the whole time.

"Well following the circumstances, for the time being I believe it's best we skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the matter before us," Back peddling Celestia sits back in her throne, Luna shortly follows suit and sits back down.

"And what exactly would that be?" I step back to my previous position before the Princesses and look back towards them.

"We are concerned about your intentions. There are those" - She pauses turning her head towards Luna - "Who believe you are a risk to the ponies of Equestria."

"That demonstration of yours only helped to reinforce that view," Interrupts Luna.

"Along with that" - Celestia continues, making a glance towards Twilight - "Twilight had informed me of the weapon you tried to use in the Everfree forest," From behind her throne she levitates my Glock and holds it above her allowing everyone to see in a golden aura.

"What exactly does it do?" Twilight finally speaks up as she swivels her view between the pistol and myself. "When you used it earlier it failed to cause any harm, apart from producing a deafening amount of volume."

"It kills..." I state as calm and collectively as I can. Everyone in the crowd seems to gasp at the answer, the blue and orange ponies ears drop as I presume they realise that I was going to kill them had I hit them with it.

"If it kills then how come when you used it against Rainbow Dash and Applejack it didn't affect them?" The disgust of using the work kill is evident in her voice. And now I at least know two of their names, and I'm pretty sure I can guess which ones which.

"That's because I missed the shot. The pink one" - raising my hand I extend a finger towards the pink pony from earlier- "Landed on me and knocked my aim off."

The last Alicorn finally speaks up, "Why would you even attempt to use such a device against them?" Princess Cadence has a pink coat with a multicoloured mane of cream and both light and dark purple. She has a small golden tiara on top of her head with a purple jewel. Her mark consists of a heart which seems to be made of crystal.

"Yes... Why would I use such a weapon?" I pivot and step towards Rainbow Dash and Applejack. "Well? have anything to say on that?"

Both Dash and Applejack shift their hooves on the spot and look between myself and the Princesses.

"You were over Twilight when she was on the floor," Rainbow Dash was the one to speak up. "You were holding some weird sword with a small blade which had blood on it so I stepped in to save my friend!" She looked into my eyes the entire time glaring me down. Fuck, I had forgotten about my rifle and the blood on the bayonet.

"I only came around to see you on top of Rainbow," Applejack's called out, "I could only see you attemptin' to strike her so I acted," Her voice sounding more confident towards the end as she crossed her right hooves over her left.

"I was on top of her because she attacked me from the rear when I was aiding your Princess" - my hand raised out towards Twilight - "Rainbow Dash started to hit me on the floor so I acted in self-defence, much like when I tried to shoot you because you broke my ribs kicking me." Her expression seemed to shift to one of sadness as I spoke. "I acted in self-defence against two unknown creatures attacking me, I don't need to justify those actions," My final speech directed towards Celestia.

"If that is the case then explain this blade to us," Celestia levitates my SA80 with bayonet still attached. The blood on the knife has now entirely dried and stands out in the clear light of the room, Almost all in the crowd gasp and mutter their disgust targeted towards me.

"That was used again in self-defence. We are under strict orders to only engage when a risk of life is presented or if we have been fired upon first."

"Self-defence? Against who?"

"I believe I may already know the answer, sister." Luna looks down at me as she slowly approaches me. "If you could hold those out for me," Raising a hoof she points towards my hands. Everyone else seems surprised by her change in attitude. Slowly I step closer to her and hold my hands out, having a feeling I know what she is referring to I face my palms up showing the burn scars. "It seems the dream I encountered was true." Wait... dream, how is that possible?

"What dream would that be, Luna?" Celestia's voice now filled with intrigue.

"I saw John attempting to rescue another human from a burning carriage," Turning her head back she looks towards her sister. "He was unable to save his life resulting in the burns before me. Using that weapon you're holding he protected himself and other around him against his attackers, until something I find myself unable to explain showed up and aided the defence." That figure at the end of the dream was her?

"It was you?..." Her gaze turns back to me. "The figure at the end of the dream, I've never noticed it before. You're telling me that you entered my dream?"

"That is correct," Luna bows her head slightly. "It is my duty to act as a guardian for the dreams of our subjects."

"Then you know I acted to defend myself, the weapon your sister holds is the same one used in that memory," I turn to face Celestia. "I wouldn't attack unprovoked unless my life was at risk," My eyes lock onto the rifle. Shit, I never made my weapons safe, they're still loaded. "Princess it would be best to place the weapons down. They aren't safe."

Her eyes scan the rifle intently, after a few moments she levitates the rifle and pistol toward the guard alongside Cadence. "Captain, could you take these and secure them in the armoury until further notice," Her aura drops and is immediately replaced with a magenta aura, I glance to Twilight to see her horn isn't producing the aura. Shifting my gaze back towards the Captain I can see his horn producing the same glow I had come to expect from Twilight.

"Yes your highness," Turning he heads towards the door the four Princesses entered from, my SA80 and Glock floating alongside him pointing towards the ceiling. Don't pull the trigger. Don't pull the trigger. Please don't pull the trigger.

PHAT PHAT PHAT

No such luck, his magic succeeds in compressing the trigger of my rifle and firing a succession of rounds into the ceiling. His magic implodes dropping the weapons as himself and those near to him cover their ears, panicked screams surface from the crowd in fear of the unknown noise. Soon I'm once again tackled by that prick of a guard who seems to have it our for me, catching a hoof jab across my face clipping my nose. His body on top of mine I lift my knee and make contact with his stomach, my arms wrapping around his back as I roll on top and deliver a quick succession of punches to the exposed sections of his face through the helmet.

The ensuing silence plucks my attention from the bruising guard, slowly looking up I can see the other guards positioned around my with spears pointed to strike me. Eyeing the Princesses reveals a mixture of emotions, Celestia's expression remaining unchanged, Luna's gaze seems to be one of mild approval probably at the punishment being dished out to the unruly guard, Cadence seems more in shock as her hoof is held up to her mouth and Twilight seems to be displaying disgust and concern towards either me of this guard.

My contemplation is broken when I feel something warm trickling from my nose, looking down I can see droplets of blood falling and making contact with the guards chest plate. I stand and step away from him allowing the guard to regain his composure as I turn again to face the Princesses, blood trickling from my nostril and across my lips occasionally dripping droplets onto the floor below my feet. The guards all move into a line behind me, fidgeting their spears again in their hooves.

Celestia's eyes close as her horn begins to illuminate, a bizarre sensation begins to fill my nose until her horn cuts off. A tissue is levitated towards me encased in a clear blue aura, looking for the source I can see the white Unicorn with Twilight's friends horn glowing. I take a hold of the tissue and wipe away the blood on my face, feeling my nose I find it to have been healed and no longer bleeding.

"Thank you, both," My eyes switching from the Unicorn to Celestia. Turning my head back to the guard I can see a number of marks along his cheeks from my punches, his eyes staring at me as I'm sure he's planning out some horrid way to try and kill me. "And you guard," - raising my finger I point to the one in question- "Are a fucking cunt," I turn back to the thrones to address Celestia. "The weapons need to be unloaded, if you'd allow it I will make them safe," Her head tilts back to the guard Captain before nodding, he soon carries the weapons in his hoof and places them on the floor before me and steps back.

Bending down I grab hold of the SA80 and raise it, initially pushing in the safety with my finger. Wrapping my hand around the bayonet I quickly remove it from the barrel and place it on the floor. Next, I remove the magazine and keep hold of it in one hand as I pull the cocking handle to the rear and release it, popping the round from the chamber causing it to land on the floor. I forward assist the handle and release the safety catch, pulling the trigger to fire off the action then immediately activating the weapons safety once again. Reaching over the right side of the rifle I clip the dust cover into position then place the rifle on the floor. Retrieving the round I place it back into the magazine before resting it alongside the rifle and bayonet. Selecting the Glock I repeat a similar process in order to clear the weapon, when I'm finished I place it on the floor and step back from it allowing the Captain to once again retrieve my property.

The Princesses look between one another and talk amongst themselves, Celestia's horn glowing holding some sort of field around them which I presume distorts sound. After a few moments, they seem to come to an agreement and the field lowers. They all stand as Celestia begins to address the crowd.

"We have decided that you are not an immediate threat to Equestria or its citizens, however we find ourselves unable to give you free reigns to do as you see fit in Equestria. You will be kept under the supervision of Princess Twilight until she believes you act in a such a manner that you won't cause confrontation with the ponies of Equestria," The four approach me and halt a couple of meters away turning to the audience. "Thank you all for attending but our next discussions will be private, we will take our leave." Turning to me she speaks in a quieter tone. "If you would follow us, I believe we have much to discuss."

The four begin to head towards the exit, initially I'm reluctant to follow but soon find myself following. As we enter a hallway I glance back to see the five ponies which accompanied Twilight in the throne room following, Rainbow Dash deciding it would be better to slowly fly whereas the Pink one seems to be literally bouncing with a carefree smile plastered across her face. A small number of guards are behind the group of friends accompanied by the Captain, he no longer has my weapons making me believe he passed them off to another guard to deal with, much like any true officer.

Well... that trial went better than expected.